For the first time since the COVID-19 vaccine rollout began, the Rock Island County Health Department had open slots at its vaccination clinic.
Today marks a week since the National Guard was deployed to vaccinate Rock Island residents six days a week. With nearly 900 doses being administered a day, the wait is over for most people eligible under Phase 1B.
Administrator Nita Ludwig says the open slots were filled quickly after the health department publicized them. But even if they weren’t, she says the extra doses wouldn’t go to waste.
“I am very proud to say we have never wasted a single dose of this vaccine. We know how important it is, and how much people want it. So, we really try to gauge when this clinic is waning down for the day, and we just draw the shots that are needed at that time."
The health department is able to store doses on-site because of a portable vaccine refrigerator the state provided.
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos toured the site today. She says the American Rescue Plan, along with vaccination centers like this one, are key to getting the local economy back on track.
“That is what’s going to get parents back to work. That is what’s going to get kids back to school, so they can be with their friends, they can be learning again. Absolutely critical, 23,000 kids just in Rock Island County, 113,000 kids throughout this congressional district.”
The mass vaccination clinic is open Mondays through Saturdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Camden Center in Milan.
